Andrew Berry

A New Jersey police department is distributing firearm locks to its local residents.

According to NJ.com, Carneys Point Police Chief Gerald Krivda is launching this new safety initiative to encourage people to keep their guns properly locked and stored away.

“We just want to make sure if you own a gun, you have a lock on it so there is no reason what-so-ever a child should be injured or killed by a gun,” Krivda said.

Carneys Point Police will give out around 50 of the firearm locks in early December at their station.

As NJ.com reports, police will be there to answer any questions residents may have regarding proper locking and storage, or gun safety in general.

Chief Krivda thinks that as more people buy guns, there should be an increased emphasis on safely storing them and keeping them out of the wrong hands.

“I understand some citizens think if they have a loaded gun, and an intruder gets in the house, it’s easier if it’s loaded. But what if they forget and leave it there, months go by, and a child finds the loaded gun and shoots,” Krivda said.

“I firmly believe that someone should look at giving a safety course when you buy a gun, especially when people have children in the house. Children are curious and it’s preventable.”